At the heart of the dispute is Operation Streamline. Under that
system, a group of up to 70 people accused of misdemeanor
violations of illegally entering the United States have their
initial appearance, guilty pleas and sentencing in a single
hearing.

In a 2009 ruling, the 9th Circuit said taking pleas en masse, with
all defendants agreeing to plead guilty as a group, violated the
constitutional rights of those involved.